Programs: Outreach and Other Programs

The work at St. Joseph’s Indian School isn’t confined to the Chamberlain, South Dakota campus.

Unlike many schools, St. Joseph’s Indian School does not sit idle in the summer months. Students do not have regular classes; however, a growing number of children remain on campus to live in our summer homes and take part in our summer activities. Summer can be a trying time for Lakota (Sioux) children, especially on South Dakota’s reservations.

Day Camp

At. St. Joseph’s Rising Eagle Day Camp, Lakota children from the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Indian Reservations take part in cultural arts and crafts, eat nutritious meals and thrive in a setting where kids can just be kids! Every day, camp counselors drive 30 miles, one way, to pick up Native American children who yearn to have fun, learn, and form new friendships… all in a safe environment and at no charge.

Bookmobile

Each summer, St. Joseph’s Bookmobile travels nearly 2,000 miles across South Dakota reservation communities to distribute free reading materials to children and families in need. This program puts over 6,000 new books into the hands of needy youth and families each summer. Our dedicated staff also uses the time in each community to visit with former students, meet prospective families and hand out student applications. Libraries are a rarity in reservation communities, and the closest one may be more than 50 miles away! Thanks to your generosity, the Bookmobile is meeting a real need.

Women’s Shelter

In traditional Lakota (Sioux) culture, women are viewed as sacred beings… they are the keepers of life, heart of the family.

Today, the sacred circle of traditional values has been broken in many reservation communities. Native American women are among the most abused — physically and sexually — demographic in the United States.

Unfortunately, services to help battered women and their children in reservation communities are rare. This is why the Sacred Heart center in Eagle Butte, South Dakota is so important. Our center provides abused women and children on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation hope, safety and support in times of great need. Whether it’s a temporary home while they leave a dangerous situation, or a ride to court, Lakota (Sioux) women receive moral support and guidance to help them through these challenging situations.

Adolescent Care Center

In many reservation communities, young adults often find themselves with little to no parental guidance. These young people fall victim to gangs, violence and substance abuse. Sadly, some of these young men and women end up in the juvenile court system.

For these youth, the adolescent care center provides the opportunity to learn from the negative in their life, turn those situations around and apply them in a positive way. Children are referred to the center’s program where professionally trained staff help them learn how to live healthy, productive lives.

Care teams work with the children and their families to help promote healing and future success.

Sacred Heart Center Outreach Services

The Sacred Heart Center is a source of hope to the entire Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Our team does not take this responsibility lightly, and we make every effort to have a positive impact on the community at large. From workshops on domestic violence to participation in local school health fairs, the Sacred Heart Center’s outreach programs stand as a beacon of hope for the thousands of Native American people living on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

The Bear Necessities Thrift Store

The Bear Necessities Thrift Store provides clothing and household items for those in need at a nominal cost. Items include adult and children clothing, shoes, household goods, bedding, books and other items that make a house a home.

College Scholarships

Each year, St. Joseph’s is proud to help Native American students achieve higher education! Scholarship awards are given at the start of the fall and spring semesters. Native American students from South Dakota are eligible, but preference is given to St. Joseph’s alumni and family members of current students.

St. Joseph’s Thrift Store

In addition to monetary gifts, friends support St. Joseph’s children and families with gifts of clothing, toiletries and much more. Each of the items so generously donated are first offered to our students and their families through our home, school and outreach programs.

When we are blessed with a surplus of items or gifts not immediately needed by our children, families or outreach programs, we offer the items at a nominal cost through our downtown thrift store.

Our store allows individuals from the area to purchase much-needed items at a discount while giving them the opportunity to support the boys and girls at St. Joseph’s. All thrift store sales help to fund programs for the children in our care.

Additionally, the thrift store serves as a wonderful opportunity for our high school students to learn life skills. Interested students help staff at our thrift store as part-time employees. This benefits students by offering them flexible scheduling and real-life experience while also allowing them to earn income. Through this work experience, we help young adults learn the importance of good work ethic and the rewards of financial responsibility.

Our Mission

St. Joseph’s Indian School, an apostolate of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, partners with Native American children and families to educate for life — mind, body, heart and spirit.